a brilliant ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brilliant ability" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's exceptional skill or talent in a particular area. Example: "Her ability to solve complex mathematical problems quickly is truly a brilliant ability that sets her apart from her peers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

There's this standup instinct combined with a brilliant ability to inflate narrative to extreme ends".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He showed a deep empathy for the farmers' plight and a brilliant ability to entertain and inspire.

The New York Times

Damian had a brilliant ability to put everyone at ease – aided by his stock of Taittinger and homemade damson gin.

The Guardian - Travel

"He used to be an English teacher and he still carries with him a great patience and a brilliant ability to spread knowledge around in a very democratic way," says Mark Gatiss, co-creator of The League of Gentlemen, and the man with whom Moffat dreamed up the idea of a contemporary Sherlock Holmes.

Independent

The results revealed that NZVI showed a brilliant ability in terms of removing bacteriophage f2 and was definitely more efficient than commercial iron particles.

Chemical Engineering Journal

While it becomes clear that she didn't cycle nearly as much as purported, and likely didn't get into some of the scuffles she alleged, Annie most certainly demonstrated a brilliant ability to seize authentic adventures and to captivate audiences.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"Nobody was interested in me before I bought the Nets," he said, depreciating what had been a rather brilliant ability to hide in plain sight, working in the background while his former partner, Vladimir Potanin, worked out front.

The New York Times - Magazine

He was also a man of great charm, whose often dishevelled appearance betrayed a brilliant mind and a superb ability to communicate.

The Guardian

It is possible the outcome will be decided by Cooper's brilliant ability as a playmaker or Carter's class and reliability.

The New York Times - Sports

I am talking about her brilliant ability as a writer and her indomitable wit.

Huffington Post

Maybe the Digest's quite brilliant ability to find a shared middle in American life is no longer possible in a nation where our shared middle consists of football, March Madness, "American Idol" and the recognition that half of us hate the other half.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's strength, follow "a brilliant ability" with a prepositional phrase specifying the domain, such as "a brilliant ability in mathematics" or "a brilliant ability with communication".

Common error

Avoid stacking excessive praise; using multiple adjectives like "exceptionally brilliant" can diminish the impact. Opt for concise, impactful language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brilliant ability" functions as a noun phrase, with "brilliant" modifying the noun "ability." It serves to describe a particular skill or talent as being exceptional or outstanding. According to Ludwig, the phrase is valid in English writing and speaking.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a brilliant ability" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe exceptional talent or skill. Ludwig's analysis indicates that the phrase is valid and appears in diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using the phrase, consider specifying the area of ability with a prepositional phrase. While "a brilliant ability" is effective, alternatives like "an exceptional talent" or "a remarkable skill" may offer more concision. According to Ludwig, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exceptional talent

Replaces "brilliant ability" with more general terms for talent.

a remarkable skill

Focuses on skill as the key attribute, replacing "ability" with "skill" and "brilliant" with "remarkable".

an outstanding aptitude

Uses "aptitude" to emphasize a natural talent or capacity.

a prodigious gift

Highlights the inherent and exceptional nature of the talent.

a superb competence

Emphasizes a high level of proficiency and skill.

a stellar capability

Uses "stellar" to denote exceptional quality and "capability" as the noun.

an impressive expertise

Highlights the deep knowledge and skill in a specific area.

a masterful command

Suggests complete control and skill in a particular domain.

a genius for

Implies an innate and extraordinary talent.

a knack for

Highlights a natural and effortless talent.

FAQs

How can I use "a brilliant ability" in a sentence?

You can use "a brilliant ability" to describe someone's exceptional talent or skill in a particular area. For example, "Her "a brilliant ability" to solve complex problems quickly is truly impressive".

What are some alternatives to saying "a brilliant ability"?

You can use alternatives like "an exceptional talent", "a remarkable skill", or "an outstanding aptitude" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say someone has "a brilliant ability"?

While "brilliant" and "ability" can both imply a high level of skill, using them together emphasizes the exceptional nature of the talent. However, consider whether a single adjective like "exceptional" or "remarkable" might be more concise.

What's the difference between "a brilliant ability" and "a remarkable skill"?

While similar, ""a brilliant ability"" emphasizes innate talent and potential, while "a remarkable skill" highlights a developed proficiency acquired through practice and learning.